Are Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Connected?

Tinnitus isn’t a condition on its own, but a symptom that can be caused by various factors. Many people wonder if their tinnitus is connected to hearing loss, whether they already have it or might develop it in the future. To better understand this, here is how tinnitus and hearing loss are related and discuss steps you can take to manage both.

What is Tinnitus?

Before looking at the connection between tinnitus and hearing loss, it’s worth looking at what tinnitus actually is. Often seen as a ringing sound in the ear, it can manifest in other ways.

You can often experience it as a buzzing or roaring sound, with this varying from person to person. Sometimes, this can go away relatively quickly, but it can often be a permanent. Some of the main causes of tinnitus include:

• Exposure to loud noises, especially long-term.
• Some medications at high doses.
• Head or neck injuries.

No matter what the cause, you’ll need to get your tinnitus treated. Seeing an audiologist is the most effective way of doing this and seeing them quickly gets your symptoms of an underlying condition addressed as easily as possible.

What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a condition where your ability to hear sounds clearly is reduced. It can make it hard to understand speech or pick up on certain noises, and it can happen gradually or suddenly, depending on the cause.

Are Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Connected?

Tinnitus and hearing loss are related but different issues. Tinnitus involves hearing sounds like ringing or buzzing that aren’t actually present, while hearing loss refers to a decrease in your ability to hear. Many people who have hearing loss also experience tinnitus because the brain may generate noise in response to the lack of external sound. However, not everyone with tinnitus has hearing loss, and vice versa. Both can be caused by similar factors, like loud noise exposure or aging. If you’re dealing with either, it’s a good idea to consult an audiologist as they can help you find the right treatment for you.

Get Treatment Today

So, what happens when you get diagnosed with either hearing loss or tinnitus? The first step is to see an audiologist, who can properly diagnose the symptoms you’re experiencing. After that, they can work with you to develop a treatment plan that best suits you. Some of the more common treatments include:

• Hearing aids: These come with masking features that help you prevent tinnitus sound being an issue.
• Retraining therapy: With this, an audiologist helps you retrain your ears to tune out the sound of tinnitus.
• Lifestyle changes: Some of the causes of tinnitus are lifestyle-related, and an audiologist helps you figure out how to change these and minimize your symptoms.

Which treatment you receive depends on your specific circumstances. Your audiologist works with you to make sure you receive the best tinnitus treatment possible. Get in touch with an audiologist today to get started on the process.